It has been confirmed that the frigate Liaoning has been relocated from Dalian port to Qingdao which is across the sea from the Korean peninsula, raising suspicions that it is designed to addresses increasing tensions in North Korea following its third nuclear testing.

The Chinese press said the frigate had been stationed in Dalian for over the past 11 years but moved to Qingdao on Feb. 26 with plans to undertake military exercises.
The frigate is originally from the old Soviet Union and was modified after it arrived in Dalian in March 2002.

It was first tested in August 2011 and deployed formally in the navy in September last year.

The relocation of Liaoning in Qingdao means that it can be swiftly deployed in the West Sea should the need arise.

The Korean peninsula is only 600 kilometers away from Qingdao and will be within the parameters of military action once the frigate moves into sea.

With the frigate, the Chinese military can easily engage not only in independent exercises but bring together a host of other military vessels, including submarines, South Korean experts said.